alestake

See also: ale-stake

English

Etymology

From ale +‎ stake.

Noun

alestake (plural alestakes)

1. (historical) A stake or pole serving as a sign at an alehouse or inn, often with a garland or "bush" attached.

Usage notes

The alestake of medieval taverns was mounted horizontally from the wall of the building. The term is not in current use. Modern aleposts can be set vertically in the ground or be attached horizontally to the pub and carry a painted sign rather than a garland.

Alternative forms

• ale-stake, ale stake

Synonyms

• alepole
• ale post

Anagrams

• Eastlake

Middle English

Noun

alestake (plural alestakes)

1. alestake
   • 1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Prologues”, in The Canterbury Tales, [Westminster: William Caxton, published 1478], →OCLC; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, →OCLC:

     And knew hir conseil, and was al hir reed.
     A gerland hadde he set upon his heed
     As greet as it were for an ale-stake;
     A bokeleer hadde he maad him of a cake.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)